McCullough shared the likelihood of the bout in a media conference call promoting the VERSUS broadcast of “WEC Best of 2008,” set to debut on Dec. 28.

While not yet officially announced by the organization, the WEC is expected to hold an event in Florida in March, headlined by a featherweight title bout between champion Mike Brown and challenger Leonard Garcia.

“It looks like my next victim is going to be Marcus Hicks in March,” McCullough said. “I don’t know where the venue is at, yet. But that’s what they told me. I’m training for that one.”

McCullough will be looking to bounce back from a unanimous-decision loss to undefeated lightweight Donald Cerrone in November. That bout, despite having yet to air on TV, was selected by the WEC as one of the four best fights for the WEC in 2008 and will be featured in the two-hour “WEC Best of 2008″ special.

The former champion has gone just 1-2 in his past three fights, but preceded that stretch with a nine-fight win streak en route to claiming the WEC title.

McCullough said he hopes to enlist the assistance of the famed Xtreme Couture camp in preparation for the bout.

“I’ve been talking to Shawn Tompkins, and it looks like I’m going to be going to Xtreme Couture with Tompkins to train,” McCullough told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “I guess good stuff could come out of it.”

Hicks will also be looking to rebound from a disappointing loss. The 33-year-old reeled off stoppage wins in his first eight-straight contests to earn a shot at the WEC belt.

“The Wrecking Ball” then ran into an immovable object in an August beatdown at the hands of current champion Jamie Varner.

McCullough said he was excited for the matchup.

“[Hicks] is a worthy opponent,” McCullough said. “You don’t have any pushovers in the WEC. I’m ready. I’m ready to go to war.”

McCullough also said he was looking forward to finally holding a reach advantage over an opponent.

“I think that [Hicks] is the only guy in the WEC that I’m taller than,” McCullough said.

For the latest on WEC 39, including the latest fight card, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.